Key Facts

• The photo shows an Israeli soldier putting a cigarette in the Virgin Mary statue’s mouth in the Lebanese village of Debel.
• The Israeli military called the incident serious and promised to take action against the soldier.
• Last month, soldiers were also seen damaging a statue of Jesus in the same village.
• Israeli forces have reportedly destroyed homes, roads, olive trees, and solar panels that power Debel’s water system.
• The Israeli military has been carrying out attacks on Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah.
• There are concerns about the destruction leading to people having no homes to return to after the conflict.
• Reports mention rising violence against Christians in Israel and occupied Palestinian areas, including harassment by ultra-Orthodox Jewish students.
• Israel’s government has sometimes punished soldiers for such actions, but experts say this is rare.